National Theatre Live: London’s Best Stage Productions on the Big Screen 2025/2026
Experience the magic of London’s most celebrated theatre performances without leaving Budapest. The Uránia National Film Theatre presents National Theatre Live’s autumn 2025 season, bringing eight exceptional productions from London’s finest stages to Hungarian audiences through high-quality cinema broadcasts.
Event Details
Season: October 12 – December 9, 2025
Location: Uránia National Film Theatre, Grand Hall (Díszterem)
Ticket Price: 4,900 HUF (regular), 4,200 HUF (students, pensioners, and teachers)
Language: Original English audio with either Hungarian or English subtitles depending on the production
Number of Performances: Eight recorded theatre broadcasts
Performance Schedule
Vanya by Simon Stephens
Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Duration: 121 minutes
Year: 2024
Subtitles: Hungarian
Based on Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya, this modern reimagining features Andrew Scott in a powerful solo performance. Scott transforms the classic Russian drama into an intimate, contemporary exploration of life, regret, and unfulfilled dreams.
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Duration: 240 minutes
Year: 2015
Subtitles: English
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This acclaimed production of Williams’ masterpiece features stellar performances from Gillian Anderson as Blanche DuBois, Ben Foster as Stanley Kowalski, and Vanessa Kirby as Stella. The brutal tale of desire, delusion, and destruction remains one of American theatre’s most powerful dramas.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Duration: 200 minutes
Year: 2016
Age Rating: 12+
Subtitles: Hungarian
Benedict Cumberbatch takes on Shakespeare’s most iconic role in this critically acclaimed production. His interpretation of the troubled Danish prince offers fresh insights into one of literature’s most complex characters, exploring themes of revenge, madness, and mortality.
Present Laughter by Noël Coward
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Duration: 167 minutes
Year: 2024
Subtitles: English
Andrew Scott delivers an Olivier Award-winning performance in Coward’s witty comedy about a self-obsessed actor navigating romantic entanglements and theatrical chaos. This sparkling production showcases British comedy at its finest with sharp dialogue and impeccable timing.
Fleabag by Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Duration: 87 minutes
Year: 2024
Subtitles: English
Before becoming the Emmy-winning television series, Fleabag began as Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s acclaimed one-woman show. This recorded performance captures the raw, hilarious, and heartbreaking story of a woman navigating modern life in London with brutal honesty and dark humor.
Mrs. Warren’s Profession by Bernard Shaw
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Duration: 120 minutes
Year: 2025
Subtitles: English
Imelda Staunton stars in Shaw’s provocative drama about a woman who made her fortune through morally questionable means and the daughter who must confront this truth. This production brings fresh relevance to Shaw’s exploration of women’s economic independence and social hypocrisy.
Dr. Strangelove
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Duration: 125 minutes
Year: 2024
Subtitles: Hungarian
Based on Stanley Kubrick’s legendary film, this stage adaptation by Armando Iannucci and Sean Foley features Steve Coogan in a darkly comic exploration of nuclear paranoia and political absurdity. The production translates Kubrick’s satirical masterpiece into theatrical form with sharp contemporary relevance.
Inter Alia by Suzie Miller
Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Duration: 105 minutes
Year: 2025
Subtitles: English
Rosamund Pike stars in this new work exploring themes of identity, power, and language. Miller, known for her powerful drama Prima Facie, continues to challenge audiences with thought-provoking theatre that examines contemporary issues through compelling storytelling.
What Makes National Theatre Live Special
National Theatre Live revolutionized access to world-class theatre by filming productions at London’s most prestigious venues and broadcasting them to cinemas worldwide. These aren’t simple recordings—they’re carefully filmed with multiple cameras to capture the intimacy of live performance while offering close-ups and angles impossible to see from traditional theatre seats.
For visitors to Budapest, this represents an extraordinary opportunity to experience performances that would typically require expensive trips to London’s West End. Many of these productions feature acclaimed actors in career-defining roles, from Benedict Cumberbatch’s Hamlet to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag.
Subtitle Information
The autumn 2025 season uses a mix of Hungarian and English subtitles. Productions with Hungarian subtitles include Vanya, Hamlet, and Dr. Strangelove, making them accessible to those still developing their English language skills. The remaining performances feature English subtitles, which many international visitors find helpful for catching nuances in British accents and period dialogue.
Why Choose Theatre Broadcasts
Theatre broadcasts offer advantages beyond affordability and accessibility. The camera work brings you closer to the actors’ expressions and emotional nuances than most theatre seats ever could. You experience the energy and spontaneity of live performance captured at its peak, often from opening night or specially recorded performances when the cast is at their finest.
The Uránia’s Grand Hall provides an intimate, atmospheric setting that enhances the viewing experience. Unlike watching at home, the cinema environment creates a collective experience where audiences laugh, gasp, and react together, maintaining the communal aspect that makes theatre so powerful.
Practical Information for Visitors
Discount Tickets: Students, pensioners, and teachers receive discounted admission at 4,200 HUF, making these world-class performances even more accessible.
Duration: Note that some productions run quite long—A Streetcar Named Desire is four hours and Hamlet runs 200 minutes. Plan accordingly and consider having dinner before or after the show.
Location: The Uránia National Film Theatre is centrally located in Budapest’s 8th district with excellent public transportation connections. The historic building’s Art Nouveau architecture adds to the cultural experience.
Language Level: For non-native English speakers, productions with Hungarian subtitles may be easier to follow. However, theatre relies heavily on visual storytelling, making even English-subtitled performances accessible to most audiences.
Must-See Highlights
If you can only attend one or two performances during your Budapest visit, consider these standout productions:
Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of Britain’s finest actors tackle Shakespeare’s greatest role. This sold-out production became a cultural phenomenon when it premiered.
Fleabag captures Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s breakthrough performance before she became an international sensation. The intimate one-woman show demonstrates why the character resonated so deeply with audiences worldwide.
Vanya showcases Andrew Scott’s remarkable ability to hold an audience alone on stage for two hours, transforming Chekhov’s ensemble piece into a solo tour de force.
The National Theatre Live autumn season at Uránia offers Budapest visitors an unparalleled opportunity to experience London’s theatrical excellence. Whether you’re a theatre enthusiast or simply curious about British performance culture, these broadcasts provide an enriching cultural experience that complements any Budapest itinerary. The combination of world-class acting, literary masterpieces, and affordable pricing makes this season an unmissable addition to your Budapest cultural calendar.